Archive for June, 2008

Charlotte’s Underwater Treasure: Mecklenburg Aquatic Club!

June 30th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids

Living in Charlotte we have so much to be proud of — but there is just something “once in a lifetime” about the Olympics. This year we have a number of local athlete who have made it to the Olympic trials, thanks to the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club. Monday night our own Mark Gangloff, a MAC swimmer was the first Charlotte based swimmer to earn a ticket to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing! Mark came from behind placing second in the 100 meter breaststroke. (read Scott Fowler’s story here).

So what does it take to be an Olympian ~ a lot of pool time and a whole lot of talent. Coaching helps too and that is one thing Charlotte can safely boast about ~ The Mecklenburg Aquatic Club better known as MAC is one of the best in the country. For 31 years MAC has been spawning swimmers of Olympian stature. This year more than two dozen MAC swimmers with some sort of Charlotte connection will try to make the Olympics team. Longtime Charlotteans like Doug Van Wie, Ricky Berens and twins Matt and Sean Patton will be among them.

Just a few of the MAC accolades:

USA SWIMMING OLYMPIC TEAM MEMBER
1988,1996, 2008
USA SWIMMING OLYMPIC TRIAL QUALIFIERS
1988,1992,1996,2000,2004
USA SWIMMING NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM MEMBER
1990,1991,1992,1995,1996,1997,1999,2003,2004,2005

MAC is more than just a Charlotte tradition, its a cherished jewel in the Queen City’s crown. So whether you’re ready for the podium or juts trying to learn to swim MACS is for you ~ sure you may never reach the Olympics but you will have swum in regal water and been around a whole lot of people who can show how to reach your best!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Charlotte Summer Pops at Symphony Park, SouthPark. | Priceless.

June 30th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids

Charlotte is blessed to be one of the few cities in the country that has a free Summer Pops series. For four sundays in June thousands of Charlotteans transform SouthPark’s Symphony park into hundreds of private backyards and are serenaded by one of the best orchestras in the country the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Better get their early Sunday morning to stake out a place on the grand lawn and then around sunset lean back, enjoy great food, a bottle of wine and some of the best music you’ll ever hear!

Last night Rhonda and I joined friends Keith and Sarah Cox who Rhonda helped relocate to Charlotte from Miami. (this was our view) Keitha and Sarah love, love their home in the Ballantyne area and Keith is making some noise with his new website ConnectWithCharlotte.com a great resource for everything to do in Charlotte. So nest year plan to join us at one of the Summer Pops concerts ~ Oh and if you need to buy a home first we can help you with that!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Save the date! Charlotte’s Pinnacle of homebuilding HomeArama October 08

June 30th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More, Fun for Kids

HomeArama is the Southeast’s premier luxury housing showcase. In 2008, the event will be held at The Ranch at Palisades October 4 through October 26th.

We will have much more to say as this event draws near but here’s some tidbits to whet your home buying appetite and give you plenty of time to plan your move to Charlotte:

• HomeArama returns to The Palisades on Lake Wylie recognized as one of the most beautiful lake communities in the southeast, receiving national recognition for its environmental stewardship. Sections of The Ranch will be gated. Homes will begin at $1.5 million
• Homeowners on The Ranch will be allowed to keep horses (dogs and kids too) haha on their property. The community is centered around a private equestrian center. Residents can experience the casual affluence of the equestrian lifestyle less than 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte.
• One of the showcase homes will be a manor home featuring a two story guest house overlooking a cascading pool area. The home will be decked out with furnishings, fine art and scuplture valued at over $7 million total!
• And remember Charlotte’s HomeArama is not all about excess — the Charlotte Homebuilders Association do a really nice job of giving back through HomeArama charity fundraisers like the Gal Preview Night!

  OK, OK so you don’t have millions (we don’t either) — that’s OK do what we do go enjoy an afternoon of looking around and stealing ideas and when you get home just think how much cheaper it is to feed a dog instead of a horse!

  

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte real estate is going to the dogs!

June 30th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids

We already know Charlotte is a great place for us two legged folks to buy a home but what you might not know is Charlotte is also one of the best places for your four legged buddy!

Jamie Sheats-Johnson’s article tells why “The Charlotte area is a great place for a tail-wagging good time. Here’s just a few of the Charlotte organizations that will make your dog feel right at home in Charlotte…

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control and the Humane Society of Charlotte work together to provide free and low-cost spay/neutering and rabies vaccination. Call 704-377-0534 for adoption information, or 704-333-4130 for the clinic. www.humanesocietyofcharlotte.org.
• Perhaps your pooch could use a relaxing day at the spa. Atrium Animal Hospital at 6520 McMahon Drive caters to all pet health needs. 704-542-2000; www.atriumanimalhospital.com.Bark Street Dog Spa offers self-serve dog wash stations and full-service pet styling at 3930 Park Road. 704-525-9998; www.barkst.com.
• Canine Cafe, 1447 S. Tryon St. in SouthEnd, specializes in gourmet treats and hosts doggie birthday “pawties.” www.caninecafe.net.
• Two hours from Charlotte in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the Dog House Resort, (P.O. Box 1594, Jefferson, NC 28640), a bed and breakfast catering to owners who want to vacation with their dogs,
• The Charlotte area is home to a growing number of doggie day cares that provide boarding facilities and a place for your pooch to get some exercise while socializing with other dogs. Here’s a partial list:Camp Wagging Tails, 10835 Bailey Road, Cornelius. 704-895-8444; www.campwaggingtails.com.

And please check out Charlotte’s four public dog parks (now free) and a fifth opening this July in Uptown Charlotte’s Frasier Park!
Definitely five paws up! (sorry but I couldn’t resist!)

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

What does Ward Cleaver have to do with Charlotte Real Estate?

June 29th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Charlotte Real Estate & More

Even native Charlotteans have a hard time with Charlotte’s “wards”. OK so what exactly is a ward (no not that Ward!) Thanks to the Charlotte Observer’s Amy Baldwin today I too learned something about our wards! Here in Charlotte a ward is basically an election district within our center city. For some it’s Uptown Charlotte for others Downtown Charlotte ~ either way our wards are hopping! There are four wards and as you can tell from the map Charlotte’s real estate areas are actually pretty well organized.

Now that you know we have ‘em, here are some of the exciting things going on in Charlotte’s four wards?

First Ward: Home to our beloved Levine Museum of the New South, Time Warner Cable Arena home to the Charlotte Bobcats, and the main branch of our excellent library.

Second Ward: Charlotte Government Center, Courthouse and Charlotte’s gleamingnew NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Third Ward: Home of the soon to be Super Bowl champion Carolina Panthers and Bank of America stadium, and a very good hometown newspaper the Charlotte Observer.

Fourth Ward: Our award winning Discovery Place museum and iMax theater, some great pubs and historic Victorian homes

So if anyone asks we absolutely have wards and I think we may even still have a beaver or two!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

101 Things To Do in Charlotte North Carolina #98~96

June 28th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids

Buying a home in Charlotte North Carolina is only the beginning! Whether you live in Charlotte or are dreaming about relocating here we think you’ll find the Charlotte Mecklenburg area has some pretty amazing things to do and some hidden gems! Rather than list all 101 Charlotte attractions we’ll give you three at a time (hint: you can find the complete list right now here courtesy of the North Carolina Tourist Guide).

We know lists can get a little boring so let’s make it fun — we’ll share our thoughts good & bad (in pink) and if you’ll let us know what you think if you go please leave a comment right here on our blog (its easy simply click on Comments above under the title)…so let’s get started…

98. The Federal Reserve Bank of Charlotte - The main lobby of the Charlotte Office offers a money exhibit featuring a history of money in the United States from Colonial days to present and includes a display highlighting the gold mining era in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.That’s a new one for us tell us what you find!

97. Ribbon Walk – is woodland oasis in the heart of the city of Charlotte. The forest includes 192-acres of woodland and wetland habitat with several miles of nature trails and a variety of native flora and fauna. An extraordinary grove of old-age beech trees designated as a “treasure tree grove” (picture here) stands out a one of the most impressive features of the forest. There are also picturesque mature pines, flowering trees and other native hardwoods. Wetland features include several ponds and meandering streams. Native wildflowers dot the forest floor. Take and walk and discover wildlife or signs of wildlife. You may see mammal tracks, hear frogs or spot one of more than 60 birds that have been seen in the forest by birdwatchers. That’s a new one for us tell us what you find!

96. Duke Power Energy Explorium- located at McGuire Nuclear Station (on Lake Norman). The Energy Explorium features hands-on energy information exhibits, a Lake Norman movie, wildflower garden and one mile nature trail. That’s a new one for us tell us what you find!

Whether your looking to buy your first home in Charlotte or you’re a native we hope you enjoy Talk!Charlotte our elective mix of information & fun about the best place to live, Charlotte North Carolina! We love hearing from you so please, please if you have question about Charlotte Real Estate or about our blog, leave a comment or drop us a note anytime, we’ll listen @ Donna, Rhonda, Jackie, Blake or Betsy! Enjoy! ps. We didn’t know were computer geeks either!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

101 Things To Do in Charlotte North Carolina #101~99

June 28th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids

Buying a home in Charlotte North Carolina is only the beginning! Whether you live in Charlotte or are dreaming about relocating here we think you’ll find the Charlotte Mecklenburg area has some pretty amazing things to do and some hidden gems! Rather than list all 101 Charlotte attractions we’ll give you three at a time (hint: you can find the complete list right now here courtesy of the North Carolina Tourist Guide).

We know lists can get a little boring so let’s make it fun — we’ll share our thoughts good & bad (in pink) and if you’ll let us know what you think if you go please leave a comment right here on our blog (its easy simply click on Comments above under the title)…so let’s get started…

101. Lake Wylie – recreation is an integral part of the Lake Wylie lifestyle. With 325 miles of shoreline, the lake is ideal for boating, fishing, water skiing and sailing. The mild climate, yet wonderfully distinct, seasonal changes not only enhance the area’s beauty, but also afford year-round enjoyment of golf, tennis and bicycling. Rhonda: I lived on Lake Wylie for several years, beautiful (not so secret anymore) alternative to the BIGGIE Lake Norman. Lake Wylie has some fantastic new home developments but retains it’s charm with events like the annual 4th of July fireworks — you’ve never seen fireworks until you see them from a boat in the middle of the lake!

100. NC Transportation Museum – Explore exhibits of antique locomotives, rail cars, automobiles and more. Take a train ride around the N.C. Transportation Museum’s historic 57-acre site, enjoy our many family-friendly special events, and learn about how transportation progress helped build North Carolina. That’s a new one for us tell us what you find!

99. Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium – The natural wonders of North America and North Carolina coupled with the rich history of our region are all reflected in The Schiele’s exceptional exhibitions and diverse programming. Whether you’re indoors or out, with the kids or your colleagues, by bringing you a lot closer to nature, The Schiele will bring you a little closer to yourself. That’s a new one for us tell us what you find!

Whether your looking to buy your first home in Charlotte or you’re a native we hope you enjoy Talk!Charlotte our elective mix of information & fun about the best place to live, Charlotte North Carolina! We love hearing from you so please, please if you have question about Charlotte Real Estate or about our blog, leave a comment or drop us a note anytime, we’ll listen @ Donna, Rhonda, Jackie, Blake or Betsy! Enjoy! ps. We didn’t know were computer geeks either!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte NC’s 10 Not So-Secret (and free) Cures for Summer Boredom!

June 23rd, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids

Mom, I am sooooooo bored! Uh Oh…here we go third day of summer and…

Lucky you, if you happen to be in Charlotte NC here are 10 (not so secret and free) cures for the Summer I’m bored blues! (And they’re not just for Summer!)

From Michelle Crouch at the Charlotte Observer, “10 fun and free ideas for fighting summer boredom” (visit this link for the article and details)

1. Airport Overlook Park. Pack a lunch and come here to watch the planes take off and land at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.
2. The Mint Museum of Craft + Design. It’s free on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick up the family guides and scavenger hunts at the front desk, and don’t miss the kid-friendly, hands-on activities on the mezzanine level.
3. Crowders Mountain State Park. About 25 miles west of Charlotte, this park will challenge the experienced as well as the novice climber.
4. Public spraygrounds. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s five spraygrounds feature nozzles and spouts that spray water for children to run through and frolic under.
5. ImaginOn. This uptown magnet for family fun is part children’s theater/part library and it’s always free.
6. Family Day Sundays at the Charlotte Museum of History. The museum, which is always free on Sundays, offers a glimpse into local colonial life and has changing exhibits.
7. The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman. Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity and nuclear power.
8. Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary. Connect with nature at this nationally recognized, three-acre sanctuary in the heart of the city.
9. Northlake Mall kids’ play areas. At Northlake Mall’s Warner Bros. Looney Tunes Play Area (across from Dick’s Sporting Goods on the lower level), kids can climb, crawl and jump on their favorite Looney Tunes characters.
10. Mecklenburg Park and Rec Programs. From fishing to birding, kayaking to outdoor movies, Mecklenburg’s Park and Recreation Department has dozens of fun, free programs and festivals for kids and adults alike. www.parkandrec.com.

And please let us know if you find any other secret places to JUST SAY NO TO BOREDOM!
….and you know we could always use a few young hands to stuff envelopes! (just kidding, well not really)

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

What if I want to talk to a Charlotte Realtor, now? Here’s a secret!

June 23rd, 2008 categories: About Our Realtors, Charlotte Real Estate & More

We’ve all been there voice mail prompt hell…If you’d like to sell your house please press 1, if you’d like to just listen to more of this great music please press blah…blah…blah…

Well what about the 10th call to your real estate agent? You already know who you’re calling — I JUST WANT TO LEAVE A MESSAGE!!!!

Well there is a better way thanks to the Charlotte Observer’s Rob Pegoraro for these secret tips to help cut through those “Hello my name is…” prompts.

“The total time wasted by these instructions, which play after a person’s recorded greeting, could add up to millions of hours a year. Has anybody ever done anything after hearing the leave-me-a-message greeting but, you know, leave a message?” But if you want to skip the welcome and message options….“If you’re calling an AT&T subscriber, pressing “0” will usually let you start recording your message right away;with a Sprint customer, press “1”; for a Verizon user, use the asterisk key; and when phoning a T-Mobile subscriber, hit the number key.”

So when you want to reach the Charlotte Premier Realty team (a little quicker) here ya’ go — when you’re ready to talk, we’ll listen!

Rhonda Gibbons 704-651-6551 skip the greeting (press * once – Verizon)

Jackie Stutts 704-517-2594

Blake Garvin 704-763-0907

Betsy Mayer 704-840-7948

Donna Johnston 704-517-3925 (Skype her instantly at Donna.Forrest)

and check out this BONUS link for more tips on getting to speak to a human at Bank Of America, Capital One Visa, the Social Security Administration and others!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

What do a Lupie, the Penguin and fried squash have to do with Charlotte Real Estate? A secret no more!

June 20th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats

For some it’s a reason to move to Charlotte, and for most it’s a reason to stay! The Charlotte Observer’s renowned food expert Kathleen Purvis has compiled a funky list of 50 food, people, and places that give this city it’s flavor! Step One: Hurry! Get with Rhonda, Jackie, Blake, Betsy or Donna and buy a house so….Step Two: you can start eating!

We can attest to a few of the 50….

Steve Spoon, Bill Spoon’s Barbecue. Barbecue is hard, dirty work, and many old-time restaurants close down when the founders pass on. When Bill died last year, it made us happy to know his grandson, Steve, would keep the place just the same. We say, Once when I did not have the cash (no credit cards) to pay for a $25 takeout Bill Spoon handed me the bag and told me to send him a check — best cue, nicest people — southern hospitality!

Pasta & Provisions. Tommy and Debbie George’s little Italian market has been a comforting presence on Providence Road for 15 years. A stash of their ravioli in the freezer keeps our meal emergencies at bay. We say, Wine selection and advice and pasta so fresh make you slap your Italiam Momma!

Lupie Duran of Lupie’s. Duran spent her teen years at Thompson Orphanage, and she’s been taking care of people ever since. At Lupie’s on Monroe Road, she treats employees like family and regulars like friends. The exit sign says it: “Keep on coming back and we’ll call you a local.” We say, Saturday afternoon best “chili hole” in the world, it’s proven! more pictures at Roadfood.com

The jukebox (and burgers) at the Penguin. It (almost) takes the pain out of jostling for a table. There are 50 CDs listed in the box and at least 50 more titles in the notebook on the wall. Hear Elvis (Presley and Costello), Howlin’ Wolf and the Clash in the same evening, or chase Dwight Yoakam with Depeche Mode. We say, You just have experience it, is that a tat?

Have fun and be sure to let us know if you like what you find or if you find some new culinary adventure here in Charlotte!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »